| As the bottled water industry across the world | | | | The report goes on to say that the current |
| grows to an unbelievable size, producing huge | | | | regulations that govern the water standards of |
| profits for the leaders in the market, whispers | | | | bottled water in the market had "gaping holes". In |
| echo behind the scenes about the reality of | | | | fact, the NRDC presents evidence to substantiate |
| bottled water and the suppression of information | | | | the claim that "misleading marketing of some |
| in this multi billion dollar world market. What is the | | | | bottled water." |
| truth behind bottled water. | | | | This NRDC report also states "At the national |
| According to the North American company Nestle | | | | level, the Food and Drug Administration is |
| Waters, bottled water is the fastest growing | | | | responsible for bottled water safety, but the |
| segment of America's beverage business and is | | | | FDA's rules completely exempt waters that are |
| the fifth best-selling beverage in the United States. | | | | packaged and sold within the same state, which |
| According to the Australasian Bottled Water | | | | account for between 60 and 70 percent of all |
| Institute, we spend about $385 million a year on | | | | bottled water sold in the United States (roughly |
| bottled water, here in Australia. | | | | one out of five states don't regulate these |
| It is a strange phenomenon that is seeing millions | | | | waters either)." |
| of consumers worldwide as being willing to spend | | | | To conclude the report, the NRDC closes by |
| 240 to over 10,000 times more per gallon for | | | | saying that even though bottled water is covered |
| bottled water than for tap water. The rush of | | | | by the FDA rules, that the quality and purity |
| consumers for bottled water is understandable as | | | | testing is still far less stringent than those that tap |
| it is easy to see the benefits of water are | | | | water must pass! |
| well-documented. | | | | Overall the testing performed by the NRDC |
| We use water to aid our systems with | | | | produced the following amazing results: |
| performing the digestive process, as well as to | | | | "After testing more than 1,000 bottles of water, |
| regulate body temperature. It is also used to | | | | NRDC found that 33% were contaminated." This |
| promote healthy and clean skin and has been | | | | is illustrated in the full report of the NRDC. |
| found to be a natural lubricant for joints. Within | | | | Not only have there been findings that the |
| our body water also plays a vital role in that it | | | | product inside the bottles, supposed to be water |
| helps move nutrients around the body and also | | | | from a spring or other such natural source, are |
| carries waste through our complicated works. | | | | not in fact that, there is also the chance that the |
| The purported benefits of bottled water are | | | | purified water that the consumer bought, in faith |
| equally well-marketed. A few of the better | | | | of it being a bona fide product, is nothing more |
| documented benefits of bottled water are that 1) | | | | than tap water in a bottle with a fancy label on it. |
| Bottle water seems to have a better, cleaner, | | | | So we see that the contents of these bottles are |
| and sometimes crisper taste than that of tap | | | | at least questionable, now lets take a look at the |
| water. 2) Bottled water is very handy as it is a | | | | bottles themselves. |
| commonly sold product that has already been | | | | Lets assume that your water is indeed a pure |
| purified and usually chilled too. 3) Bottled water is | | | | water from a spring found somewhere nearby |
| a great alternative when traveling in foreign | | | | you that has been tested and found to be pure, |
| countries or any area where the water is not the | | | | is it still possible that the water you drink when |
| same or even a similar quality as that which we | | | | you buy your bottle is no longer pure? Water held |
| are used to. | | | | in a plastic bottle at the manufacturer, then at the |
| Is bottled water the great beneficial product it | | | | warehouse, then at the distributor, then at the |
| seems to be or is there a more sinister side to | | | | retailer, and also all the time in transit between |
| this industry? Are we being told everything, or do | | | | these places before you get it, leaves ample time |
| we need to look more closely at the industry and | | | | to leech out components from the plastic |
| the products being produced? Read on as we | | | | containers. This is a real concern. |
| take a look! | | | | Another risk is when bottling plants reuse bottles |
| To begin with we should take a look at what is | | | | as the bottles can become home to a wide |
| being said about the product, by the product and | | | | variety of bacteria that can cause symptoms |
| so it is important to study labels a little closer. | | | | including stomach aches, vomiting, and diarrhea. |
| Water bottled in Europe and labeled as "mineral | | | | To avoid the chances of this, it is safer to seek |
| water" must come from natural springs to earn | | | | water sold in glass bottles. |
| its "seal of approval." | | | | Remember that how you store your water is |
| "Artesian water" is drawn from a well that taps | | | | almost as important as the water itself. Use glass |
| into a confined underground aquifer where the | | | | containers or, the least reactive, #7 plastic bottles. |
| water level stands about the natural water table, | | | | You can find these bottles at most health food |
| elevating the water's purity. "Well water" is water | | | | stores. They're also becoming "standard |
| that must be pumped to the surface through a | | | | equipment" for workout enthusiasts, so look for |
| hole drilled for that purpose. Water that earns the | | | | them at gyms, sports stores, or online. |
| label "spring water" may come from a natural | | | | One last thing to keep in mind about the bottled |
| spring OR from a hole that is simply adjacent to a | | | | water debate, concerns our environment. Bottled |
| natural spring. | | | | water is sold on the strength that is a healthy |
| Some bottled water flies "under the radar" of | | | | product that is safer for us than the alternative |
| regulatory requirements. Water that is labeled | | | | of tap water. A simple water filter would achieve |
| "carbonated water," "disinfected water," "filtered | | | | this effect without the detrimental effects to our |
| water," "seltzer water," "sparkling water," "soda | | | | environment. What detrimental effects you ask? |
| water," or just plain "water" may be exempt | | | | Consider the fuel that is burnt every year to |
| from specific water-testing and contamination | | | | transport this water from location to location and |
| standards. This however is not commonly | | | | also to produce the bottles themselves. This |
| publicized knowledge that should be openly shared | | | | leaves a massive carbon footprint on the planet |
| with the public before they choose the brand of | | | | that needs to be addressed. |
| water they will buy. | | | | In conclusion after presenting this information, |
| After some searching through various records | | | | take a think about exactly what is going on with |
| and reports, the following information was found | | | | bottled water and if you decide to continue using |
| about the results of a study performed by the | | | | bottled water over tap water, then at least |
| NRDC ( Natural Resource Defense Council ). The | | | | consider selecting a brand that you know is not |
| study reports that some bottled water was | | | | trying to avoid purity testing by using labeling |
| found to be less than standard quality, finding such | | | | tricks, and also if possible buy locally made |
| things as industrial solvents, inorganic contaminants | | | | products to save our environment too. |
| like arsenic as well as bacterial contaminants. | | | | |